Erling Haaland has already netted seven goals in just three matches, two of those games resulting in hat-tricks. Despite this impressive goal-scoring run, criticism has surfaced over his minimal involvement in Manchester City's build-up play. This debate intensified when a surprising statistic emerged after City's season opener against Chelsea. Haaland became the first player under Pep Guardiola to complete just three passes in a full 90 minutes—a stunning figure considering Guardiola’s dedication to a style of play built on fluid passing and team synergy.
The revelation ignited further discussions that have lingered since Haaland's arrival at Manchester City in 2022. Can a forward be considered truly world-class if their involvement in overall play is minimal?
Haaland’s low number of touches during matches has become a focal point of criticism. In fact, he has averaged the fewest touches of any player in Europe’s top five leagues who has managed to score three or more goals since the start of last season. Yet, the Norwegian striker’s goal-scoring record remains extraordinary. After scoring in a 2-0 win over Chelsea, Haaland mirrored his passing accuracy with his shot count against Ipswich, completing seven passes and taking seven shots on goal, culminating in yet another hat-trick in a 4-1 victory.
Haaland’s dominance is hard to contest. As the season heads into its first international break, Haaland has accumulated seven Premier League goals, an unparalleled feat as no other striker in the league has even registered seven shots on target. His scoring efficiency is astonishing: he averages a hat-trick every 9.7 games, while his six touches per shot are the lowest among Europe’s elite.
His growing list of accomplishments continues to solidify his place among the Premier League's greatest scorers. With his latest treble against West Ham, Haaland has surpassed Wayne Rooney's record for Premier League hat-tricks, and now stands level with icons such as Thierry Henry, Michael Owen, and Harry Kane. He's within striking distance of Alan Shearer’s tally and just a few goals shy of breaking Sergio Aguero’s record of 12 Premier League hat-tricks—a milestone that seems inevitable at this rate.
Moreover, Haaland is on course to become the first player since Thierry Henry in 2004 to secure the Premier League Golden Boot for three consecutive seasons.
However, as former Manchester United captain Roy Keane pointed out last season, Haaland’s performance outside the penalty box leaves much to be desired. When City faced Arsenal last March in a goalless draw, Keane remarked that Haaland often played "like a League Two player" in terms of his overall contribution to the game, suggesting there is room for improvement in his general play. But the critical question remains: does it really matter?
Haaland’s prolific ability to score goals redefines the archetype of the modern striker. If he doesn’t fit the mold of the traditional No. 9 that football purists envision, then perhaps it's time to reevaluate that ideal. Haaland’s value lies in his clinical finishing, and in today’s game, few can match his productivity in front of goal.
0 Comments